Raped by Bill Cosby

US comedian Bill Cosby admitted in his 2005 testimony that he obtained Quaaludes in the 1970s, with the intent of giving it to women with whom he wanted to have sex. This confession was concerning a case brought by Andrea Constand, a former employee of Temple University, Philadelphia. That case was settled for an undisclosed sum. Seventy-seven-year-old Cosby is facing a series of sexual assault accusations. He has denied the claims.

Because Cosby admitted in 2005 that he gave women sedatives and then had sex with them does not necessarily mean he is guilty of the others. However, this information makes one believe that this is a smoking gun. This at the very least is very embarrassing.

This 2005 admission of drugging women and then having sex with them is damaging and devastating to those who were defending Cosby. It appears that some persons got so caught up with his character of Dr Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show (1984-92) that they said a goodly doctor, the family man and supporter of family values was incapable of such heinous crimes. He would be the last guy to do such a wicked act. Persons need to separate the persona of a show from real life. There is often a big difference between public life and personal life.

PERVERSION OF HORRIFIC DIMENSIONS

Cosby used his powerful position of a Hollywood star to entrap and abuse women, some of whom will be scarred for life. Some will forever find it difficult to relate normally to men. To repeatedly drug women and then have sex with them is a perversion of horrific dimensions. He has no respect for women or himself. Obviously he does not feel that he could freely attract women. He has serious low esteem of those women and himself. He also has a sense of entitlement hence he would use force to get sexual favours. He was not into a wholesome relationship with a woman, but rather saw women as sex objects for his pleasure when he wanted it and how he wanted it. Sex was not seen as a gift from God for the expression of unconditional love and procreation but as a commodity that he wanted for free and against free will.

Cosby used to have some harsh words for persons of African origin who were under-achievers. He needs to do some critical selfexamination and stop the charade and own up to the women he has abused and spend the rest of his life behind prison bars to reflect on what he has done and try to write a book of contrition to make amends.

The 2005-6 documents reveal that Cosby paid money to his accusers. The world needs to cut out this out of court settlements wherein wealthy persons pay money and do not have to face criminal charges. This perpetuates the notion that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor. Let the rich pay money, but there must also be jail time. Jail time is necessary to show society’s disapproval of such heinous crimes and allow for a period of rehabilitation before they are let loose on an unsuspecting public. Chances are, if Cosby got jail time in 2005 of say 14 years, he would not have done what he did and more women would be on their guards after his release.

Since there are no perfect crimes, then some other persons knew what he did and were covering up Cosby’s criminal behaviour. They, too, should face the long arm of the law. Let’s hope and work towards getting justice for all who have been raped by Bill Cosby.

- Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of ‘The Cross and the Machete’, and ‘Rebellion to Riot’. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.